Buffered non-formaldehyde durable press textile treatment

Abstract

This invention relates to a durable press treatment for textile fabrics containing cellulosic fibers and which is characterized by avoiding the use of formaldehyde and problems associated therewith. The fabric is impregnated with a formaldehyde-free finishing agent containing glyoxal, reactive silicone, a catalyst and a buffering agent for reducing the acidity of the fabric. The fabric is thereafter dried and the finishing agent is cured to impart durable press properties to the fabric.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for imparting durable press properties to a textile fabric formed at least partially of cellulosic fibers and characterized by avoiding the use of formaldehyde and problems associated therewith, said method comprising impregnating the textile fabric with a formaldehyde-free finishing agent containing glyoxal, reactive silicone, a catalyst, and a buffering agent for reducing acidity in the treated fabric, and thereafter drying the fabric and curing the finishing agent to impart durable press properties to the fabric. 
     
     
       2. A process according to claim 1 wherein said buffering agent comprises at least one salt of a weak acid and a strong base. 
     
     
       3. A process according to claim 1 wherein said buffering agent comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       4. A process according to claim 1 wherein said catalyst comprises a blend of aluminum sulfate and magnesium sulfate and said buffering agent comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       5. A process according to claim 1 wherein the formaldehyde-free finishing agent contains about 3 to about 75 parts by weight reactive silicone solids per 100 parts by weight glyoxal solids. 
     
     
       6. A process according to claim 1 wherein the impregnating of the fabric is carried out so as to provide a pick-up of about 1% to about 8% glyoxal and about 1/3% to about 1% silicone, by weight, based on the dry weight of the fabric. 
     
     
       7. A process for imparting durable press properties to a textile fabric formed at least partially of cellulosic fibers and characterized by avoiding the use of formaldehyde and problems associated therewith, said method comprising impregnating the fabric with a formaldehyde-free finishing agent comprising glyoxal, reactive silicone, a durable press catalyst, and a salt of a weak acid and a strong base, drying the impregnated fabric, and heating the fabric to effect curing of the finishing agent and to impart durable press properties to the fabric. 
     
     
       8. A process according to claim 7 wherein said salt of a weak acid and a strong base comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       9. A process according to claim 7 wherein said formaldehyde-free finishing agent contains about 3 to 75 parts by weight reactive silicone, about 5 to 40 parts durable press catalyst, and about 20 to 60 parts of said salt, by weight, solids basis, per 100 parts by weight glyoxal solids. 
     
     
       10. A durable press textile fabric produced in accordance with the process set forth in either one of claims 1 or 9. 
     
     
       11. A cured durable press textile fabric formed at least partially of cellulosic fibers, said fabric containing glyoxal and reactive silicone as fiber treating agents for said cellulosic fibers and imparting durable press properties to the fabric, and said fabric also containing a buffering agent for reducing the fabric acidity. 
     
     
       12. A treated textile fabric formed at least partially of cellulosic fibers and adapted for being cured by heating to impart durable press properties to the fabric but without the use of formaldehyde and problems associated therewith, said textile fabric containing an uncured formaldehyde-free finishing agent including as fiber treating agents a mixture of glyoxal and reactive silicone, and said fabric also containing a buffering agent for reducing the fabric acidity. 
     
     
       13. A textile fabric according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said buffering agent comprises at least one salt of a weak acid and a strong base. 
     
     
       14. A textile fabric according to claim 11 or 12 wherein said buffering agent comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       15. A non-formaldehyde finishing agent for imparting durable press properties to a textile fabric formed at least partially of cellulosic fibers, said finishing agent comprising a formaldehyde-free aqueous composition containing glyoxal, reactive silicone, a durable press catalyst, and a buffering agent for reducing acidity in the treated fabric. 
     
     
       16. A finishing agent according to claim 15 wherein said buffering agent comprises at least one salt of a weak acid and a strong base. 
     
     
       17. A finishing agent according to claim 15 wherein said buffering agent comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       18. A finishing agent according to claim 15 wherein said catalyst comprises a mixture of aluminum sulfate and magnesium sulfate and said buffering agent comprises sodium metaborate. 
     
     
       19. A finishing agent according to claim 15 containing about 3 to 75 parts reactive silicone, about 5 to 40 parts durable press catalyst, and about 20 to 60 parts buffering agent, by weight, solids basis, per 100 parts by weight glyoxal solids.